POLITICAL

I give the following letter as hearing upon the organization of political parties in the county:

"FRIEND CASE: I am not much at writing history, and can only give you some of the points where I was interested and so remember them. You are right about the organization of the party at Trotter's ford and Jacksonville. It was there agreed to make no opposition to the organization, of the southern part into an independent county. It was also agreed that they were to nominate all the candidates for Neosho county from the northern part, and that we from the south part should abstain from voting for or against them, and should organize on our own account, and trust to the Legislature to legalize our action. According to that agreement, a mass meeting of the Republicans was called soon after, and met in the open air outside of Carr & Bridgman's store, in the east part of what is now Oswego. Dr. J. F. Newlon was elected as its chairman, and the meeting then proceeded to Dominate candidates for representative and for county officers. I was nominated for representative, Ben. Rice for sheriff, Sam. Collins, John Rice, and I think Noris Harrer, for county commissioners; A. T. Dickerman for county clerk, I think. You can verify these names from the records. After my admission to the Legislature the programme was carried out. Although our action was irregular, I found all the members and State officers willing to render any assistance in their power. A resolution was at once introduced legalizing my election, and I was admitted to my seat. I then went to Governor Crawford with our petition for appointment of temporary county officers, and had those elected in the fall appointed.

"The Democratic party in 1866 nominated W. C. Watkins for representative.

The introduction of greenbacks into the politics of this county (not as an element of bribery, but as an organized body of voters) dates from 1877, when the first ticket was put into the field by the Greenback party. But of course there was some work done before that time in the way of organizing clubs and disseminating the principles of the party. I am not able to say definitely when and where the first organization was effected. The first mention which I have found of this organization is a card published in the Advance of September 16, 1875, signed by J. W. Caldwell, calling a meeting of those who were favorable to organizing a greenback club, to be held at Drake's Hall, Chetopa, September 18, 1875. I have no information as to whether or not the organization was effected, but probably it was not, or if so it did not live long. Sometime in 1877 a club was organized at the Slocum school-house, District No. 75, in Mound Valley township. On May 18, 1878, a club was organized at the Valley school-house, District No. 72, In Elm Grove township. During this spring a number of clubs were organized and a more perfect county organization was effected in a convention held at Parsons in April. After 1883 there was little life manifested by this party under its organization as then existing.

Was organized at Mound Valley in the latter part of 1885. It was conducted with open doors as a reform club till June 9, 1886, when a secret work was adopted and a secret organization perfected by the following charter members: George Campbell, Dr. E. Lemom, J. K. Russell, I. M. Evans, W. N. McCoid, William Clark, Joseph Riff, J. White, N. Clark, B. F. Miller, B. F. Ralls, and E. H. Barnhart. Under the leadership of Mr. Campbell a number of lodges were instituted in this and adjoining counties, and the organization was extended to other States. In 1886 Mr. Campbell established and during 1887 conducted a paper called United Labor, for the purpose of giving publicity and strength to the new organization. Whatever may have been the good effects of this effort on others I do not know, but it proved a very disastrous undertaking financially to Mr. Campbell. After spending several thousand dollars in the attempt to put it on a paying basis, the publication of this official organ ceased, after being conducted about a year. In 1889 this organization was merged in that of the Farmers' Alliance and Industrial Union. In the meantime out of this and other labor organizations there had sprung up a new political party which took the name of the Union Labor party, which was organized at Cincinnati, February 22, 1887. John W. Breidenthal, being one of the delegates from Kansas, was made chairman of the State committee. He at once took active steps toward organizing the party in this county. The first club in the county was organized at Edna, in March. This was soon followed by others. A mass convent on was called, to meet at Altamont, August 5, 1887. This meeting was largely attended. George E. Stone, of Howard township, was made chairman. To prevent being imposed upon a pledge was required of all parties participating in its proceedings to support the Union Labor ticket: 137 signed this pledge. The party was then organized, and Wm. Cook was made chairman of the central committee. To Mr. Breidenthal is, in a large measure, due the victory which the party achieved that fall, for he was instrumental in bringing a number of their best speakers into the county, among whom were Gen. J. B. Weaver, H. A. Streeter, Jesse Harper, Moses Hull, and Capt. Geo. W. Bell. With the exception of commissioner, this party elected the entire county ticket that fall.

This organization so far as it relates to this county dates from January, 1889, when Mount Zion Sub-Alliance was organized, in Osage township. This was followed by Pleasant Hill, in the same month, and on February 12th Globe Alliance was organized, in Mound Valley township. These organizations were formed by C. McIlvain. According to one report Angola Alliance was organized before either of those above named. The County Alliance was formed at Altamont, on May 18, 1889. It has had the following officers: Presidents - G. J. Coleman, E. A. Richcreek, Daniel Pfaff, Ben Johnson. Secretaries - C. L. Albin, Walter Phillips, Harry Mills, George Campbell. Out of this, and the organizations which. preceded it, in 1890 sprang the People's party.

The Republican party in this county was organized in 1866. The following are the steps that were taken to secure such organization, and to hold the first convention.

The fore part of August, 1866, a number of Republicans were assembled at the store of Roe & Dennison, at the Erie postoffice, about a mile north of the present site of Erie. Political matters were talked over, and it was decided to call a convention at Trotter's ford, to organize the Republican party. Afterwards, by request of those residing in the southern part of the county (in what is now Labette county), the place of the meeting was changed from Trotter's ford to Jacksonville. Delegates having been selected from all parts of the county in such way as each locality chose, they met in convention in a grove some two or three hundred yards north and about the same distance west of what is now the southeast corner of Neosho county, on Saturday, September 8, 1866. A Mr. Nugent (?) was chairman, and J. A. Wells, secretary. At the request of the delegates from the southern part of the county, the nomination for the county officers were all made from those residing in the north half, with the agreement on. their part that at the next session of the Legislature the county should be divided. On motion of G. W. Kingsbury, it was voted that when the division was made the southern part should be called (as they then wrote the word) La Bet county. J. S. Waters was recognized as the chairman of the delegation from the southern half of the county.

Following we give a summary of various political conventions which have been held in Labette county, from 1866 to 1900, inclusive:

In October, 1866, a Republican convention was called for the proposed new county of "La Bet" (alluded to above). It met in the open air near Carr & Bridgman's store, Oswego; J. F. Newlon, chairman, A. T. Dickerman, secretary. The following ticket was nominated: County clerk, A. T. Dickerman; sheriff, Benjamin A. Rice; clerk district court, Elza Craft; register of deeds, George Bent; county assessor, Jabez Zink; probate judge, David C. Lowe; county treasurer, C. C. Clover; superintendent public instruction, J. F. NewIon; coroner. G. W. Kingsbury; representative, Charles H. Bent; commissioners, S. W. Collins, C. H. Talbot, and Bergen Van Ness.

J. S. Waters, chairman central committee.

March, 1867, open air, near Carr & Bridgman's store, Oswego; J. F. Newlon, chairman, A. T. Dickerman, secretary. County clerk, A. T. Dickerman; county treasurer, C. C. Clover; sheriff, Benjamin A. Rice; county assessor, Francis Wall; clerk district court, R. S. Cornish; probate judge, Bergen Van Ness; register of deeds, Elza Craft; superintendent public instruction, John F. Newlon; coroner, George W. Kingsbury; surveyor, Z. Harris; commissioners, Nathan Ames, William Shay, and David C. Lowe.

September 1, 1867, Benj. A. Rice, chairman. Representative Eighty-fifth district, T. S. Waters; sheriff, John N. Watson; coroner, G. W. Kingsbury; county clerk, C. E. Simons; county attorney, W. J. Parkinson; county treasurer, Bergen Van Ness; probate judge. David C. Lowe; commissioners, Isaac Butterworth, William Logan, J. F. Molesworth; superintendent public instruction, Enos Reed; clerk district court,, R. S. Cornish; county surveyor, S. R. Southwick; register, Charles C. Beggs; county assessor, J. R. Morrison.

C. H. Bent, chairman central committee, S. Waters, secretary.

September, 1868, Oswego.* Representative Eighty-fifth district, Dr. D. D. McGrath; probate judge, H. M. Minor; superintendent public instruction, R. J. Elliott; county attorney, Walter P. Bishop; county clerk, Charles C. Beggs; clerk district court, Robert Steel; county commissioner first district, Elisha Hammer.

==========
*   In all cases where possible, the names of Chairmen and Secretaries are given, but in some instances no record of these could be found.
==========

E. R. Trask, chairman central committee, W. H. Carpenter, secretary.

September 17, 1869, court-house, Oswego. Probate judge, W. H. Witlock; treasurer, Harvey I. Cox; sheriff, J. C. Wilson; county attorney, J. S. Waters; county clerk, L. C. Howard; register, P. H. Cherry; surveyor, E. G. Davidson; coroner, James Logan; commissioners, first district, Gilbert Martin, second, J. S. Anderson, third, James H. Beggs.

E. Hammer, chairman central committee, E. D. Graybill, secretary.

September 17, 1870, court-house, Oswego; J. W. Horner, chairman, C. H. Lewis, secretary. Representative Eighty-fifth district, J. M. Mahr, on third ballot over I. W. Patrick and C. H. Bent; probate judge, B. W. Perkins on third ballot over J. Demorst and Davis Vulgamore; county attorney, J. S. Waters, by acclaimation; superintendent public instruction, J. W. Horner on first ballot over R. J. Elliott and D. C. Constant: clerk district court, D. S. Morrison on first ballot over Robert Steel and E. D. Graybill; surveyor, G. T. Walton by acclamation, provided Davidson does not get back; commissioner first district, Samuel Ballentine on first ballot over David Stanfield.

T. E. Clark, chairman central committee, E. D. Graybill, secretary.

October 7, 1871, at court-house, Oswego; J. W. Horner, chairman, E. E. Hastings, secretary. Sheriff, L. S. Crum on first ballot over J. C. Wilson; register, I. W. Patrick on second ballot over J. G. Steel, R. E. Holloway, Levi Seabridge, and Thomas Irish: county clerk, L. C. Howard on first ballot over R. J. Elliott, E. D. Graybill, and George T. Walton; treasurer, C. F. Smith on first ballot over N. Sanford; coroner, J. F. Newlon on first ballot; surveyor. S. R. Southwick, by acclamation: commissioners, first district, Henry Stewart; second, J. H. Hibbits; third, W. H. Carpenter.

J. W. Horner, chairman central committee, T. C. Cory, secretary. August 7, 1872, Horner resigned as chairman of the central committee, and J. S. Waters was elected in his place, and F. B. McGill, secretary.

October 5, 1872, at court-house, Oswego, E. B. Stevens, chairman, I. 0. Pickering, secretary. Senator Fifteenth district, J. H. Crichton, on third ballot over J. S. Waters and J. Woods; probate judge, B. W. Perkins, by acclamation; county attorney, E. C. Ward on second ballot, over David Kelso, W. B. Glasse, T. L. Darlow; clerk district court, R. J. Elliott, on third ballot, over Will. Houck, John Hamblin, D. S. Morrison; coroner, William Pinkerton. by acclamation; superintendent public instruction, Mary A. Higby, on first ballot, over W. A. Starr, E. H. Taylor, Keirsey Cook; commissioner, second district, J. B. Cook, who declined nomination, and George Farland was substituted by central committee.

F. B. McGill, chairman central committee, S. 0. Fletcher, secretary.

October 11, 1873, at court-house, Oswego; Josephus Moore, chairman, H. L. Partridge, secretary. Probate judge, S. L. Coulter; treasurer, C. F. Smith; sheriff, S. 0. Fletcher, on second ballot, over J. N. Watson; county clerk, J. B. Cook, on first ballot, over L. C. Howard and Saml. Collins; register, I. W. Patrick, by acclamation; surveyor, Samuel F. Terrill, by acclamation; coroner, D. B. Crouse, by acclamation; commissioners, first district, John Nelson; second, P. B. Clark; third, W. A. Starr. Decided to make no nomination for representative of the Forty-third district; Forty-fourth district, W. H. Mapes.

R. J. Elliott, chairman central committee, Willard Davis, secretary.

September 26, 1874, at court-house, Oswego; E. B. Stevens, chairman, L. M. Bedell, secretary. Senator Fifteenth district, J. H. Crichton, on second ballot, over T. C. Cory, D. Kelso, and W. H. Mapes; clerk district court, H. C. Cook, on second ballot, over R. J. Elliott, E. B. Newton, and Wm. Houck; superintendent public instruction, Mary A. Higby, on first ballot, over J. G. Coleman and Allen C. Baker; county attorney, Willard Davis, by acclamation; coroner, J. G. Coleman, by acclamation.

C. H. Bent, chairman central committee, V. J. Knapp, secretary.

October 2, 1875, court-house, Oswego; J. S. Waters, chairman, G. W. Hawk, secretary. Treasurer, George M. Caldwell, by acclamation; sheriff, S. B. Abbott, on first ballot, over J. H. Golden and J. A. Mapes; county clerk, S. T. Herman, by acclamation; register, I. W. Patrick, by acclamation; coroner, D. B. Crouse, by acclamation; surveyor, S. R. Southwick, on second ballot, over George Thornton and Charles McClung; commissioners, first district, J. J. Woods; second, W. M. Mabery; third, W. A. Starr.

J. M. Cavaness, chairman central committee, S. 0. Fletcher, secretary.

September 16, 1876, court-house, Oswego, Major H. W. Martin, chairman, George Thornton, secretary. Senator Fifteenth district, I. H. Crichton, on seventh ballot, over M. W. Reynolds, J. G. Coleman, H. G. Webb, and W. B. Glasse; probate judge, S. L. Coulter, by acclamation; clerk district court, H. C. Cook, by acclamation; county attorney, J. S. Waters, by acclamation; superintendent public instruction. Mary A. Higby, on first ballot, over L. J. Vandingham, Kiersey Cook, and A. C. Baker.

W. B. Glasse, chairman central committee, George Thornton, secretary.

September 22, 1877, court-house, Oswego; Major H. W. Martin, chairman, C. A. Wilkin, secretary. Treasurer, G. M. Caldwell, by acclamation; register, I. W. Patrick, on first ballot, over W. A. Starr; county clerk, T. A. Fellows, by acclamation; sheriff, D. M. Bender, on fourth ballot, over S. B. Abbott, J. W. H. Golden, and George Campbell; surveyor, George Thornton; coroner, W. R. Moore; commissioners, first district, H. S. Coly; second, W. J. Herrod; third, J. B. Swartz.

F. B. McGill, chairman central committee, George Thornton secretary.

September 14, 1878, court-house, Oswego; D. Kelso, chairman, L. M. Bedell, secretary. Clerk district court, H. C. Cook; county attorney, J. S. Waters; superintendent public instruction, Allen C. Baker; commissioner first district. T. E. Clark.

C. H. Kimball, chairman central committee, D. M. Bender, secretary.

April 24, 1879, opera house, Oswego; R. W. Wright, chairman, L. M. Bedell, secretary. Treasurer, George Thornton, on first ballot, over M. M. Kingsbury; sheriff, D. M. Bender, on first ballot, over J. W. H. Golden, D. H. David, and C. B. Woodford; register, I. W. Patrick, on first ballot, over J. M. Morgan, E. B. Baldwin. and George Foland; county clerk, W. H. Kiersey, on first ballot, over A. T. Dickerman, and F. G. Hunt; surveyor, J. M. Wells, by acclamation; coroner, W. W. Inglish, on first ballot, over Dr. N. M. Miller; commissioner second district, A. N. Russell, on second ballot, over George Hildreth, J. W. Mason, D. F. Noblett, Michael Noel, and A. W. Darling.

C. H. Kimball, chairman central committee, R. W. Wright, secretary.

September 25, 1880, opera house, Oswego; J. S. Waters, chairman, F. W. Felt and A. H. Tyler, secretaries. Senator Fifteenth district, W. B. Glasse, on third ballot, over C. H. Kimball, M. W. Reynolds, and H. W. Martin; probate judge, Nelson Case, on first ballot, over A. H. Ayres, Writ Starr, and H. W. Martin; county attorney, L. C. True, on first ballot, over J. D. Conderman and J. E. Bryan; clerk district court, H. C. Cook, by acclamation; superintendent public instruction, M. Chidester, on second ballot, over J. F. Hill, Nathan Williams, and Allen C. Baker; commissioner third district J. J. Henderson.

J. S. Waters, chairman central committee, J. E. Bryan, secretary.

September 24, 1881, Oswego; J. S. Waters, chairman, E. W. Bedell, secretary. Treasurer, George M. Caldwell, on first ballot, over George Thornton and G. S. McDole; register, A. M. Fellows, on fifth ballot, over I. W. Patrick, Marshall Johnson, Jesse M. Morgan, and James Paxton; sheriff, D. M. Bender, on second ballot, over J. W. Wilson, S. B. Abbott, D. H. David, J. W. H. Golden, and C. E. Simons; county clerk, F. W. Felt on second ballot over W. A. Starr and W. H. Kiersey; surveyor, B. R. Cunningham by acclamation; coroner, Lewis Peterson on first ballot over S. M. Gregory.

J. S. Waters, chairman central committee, J. H. Morrison, secretary.

September 29, 1882, Oswego; Thomas O'Hare, chairman, L. M. Bedell, secretary. County attorney, L. C. True on first ballot over T. C. Cory and J. E. Bryan; probate judge, Nelson Case, by acclamation; clerk district court, H. C. Cook, by acclamation; superintendent public instruction, Mrs. Anna C. Baker on third ballot over 0. M. McPherson, M. Chidester, B. R. Cunningham, and W. F. Schoch; coroner, H. C. Richardson, by acclamation; commissioner second district, C. M. Keeler on first ballot over A. N. Russell and A. T. Dickerman.

T. J. Calvin, chairman central committee, L. M. Bedell, secretary.

October 20, 1883, Oswego; J. E. Bryan, chairman, 0. M. McPherson, secretary, Treasurer, C. W. Littleton on first ballot over M. L. Trotter; register, Asa Smith on first ballot over E. B. Baldwin and N. M. Miller; county clerk, F. W. Felt, by acclamation; sheriff, J. T. Lampson on second ballot over Andrew Kaho, C. E. Simons, C. B. Woodford, and W. H. Webb; surveyor, B. R. Cunningham by acclamation; coroner, E. W. Dorsey by acclamation; commissioner third district, J. E. Brooks, by acclamation.

J. H. Morrison, chairman central committee, Jess Brockway, secretary.

September 6, 1884, Oswego; Thomas O'Hare, chairman, S. W. Kniffin, secretary. Senator Ninth district, C. H. Kimball on first ballot over J. B. Swartz and J. E. Bryan; county attorney J. D. Conderman on third ballot over W. B. Glasse and J. H. Morrison; clerk district court, E. B. Baldwin on first ballot over W. W. Cook; probate judge, S. L. Coulter on first ballot over Isaac Hill; superintendent public instruction, Mrs. Anna C. Baker, by acclamation: commissioner first district, D. A. Jones on second ballot over J. F. Hill, Louis Von Trebra, and J. C. McKnight; commissioner second district, to fill vacancy, J. M. Mason on third ballot over Peter Shufelt, J. N. Tibbets, M. Noe, and William Slaughter.

T. C. Cory, chairman central committee, S. 0. Fletcher, secretary.

October 17, 1885, opera house, Oswego; J. B. Swartz, chairman S. T. Herman, secretary. Treasurer C. W. Littleton, by acclamation; register, Asa Smith, by acclamation; sheriff, C. B. Woodford on first ballot over I. N. Cornelius, J. T. Lampson, W. H. Sharp, and Joseph Craft; county clerk, W. W. Cook on second ballot over 0. E. Woods and W. J. Quick; surveyor, W. W. Dentler on first ballot over J. M. Hart; coroner, E. W. Dorsey, by acclamation.

H. H. Lusk, chairman central committee, A. H. Tyler, secretary.

On October 10, 1885, a convention was held at Edna, at which James Wilmoth was nominated for commissioner of second district.

October 9, 1886, opera house, Oswego; J. W. Marley, chairman, J. W. Weltner and L. M. Bedell, secretaries. County attorney, T. C. Cory on first ballot over J. D. Conderman and Jess Brockway; probate judge, T. J. Calvin on first ballot over Isaac Hill and F. H. Atchinson; clerk district court, E. B. Baldwin on first ballot over W. E. Crawford; superintendent public instruction, Mrs. Anna Hickenbottom on second ballot over Mrs. Anna C. Baker, C. C. Robbins, L. Tomlin, J. W. Iden, and Mrs. Susan C. Keefe; commissioner third district, J. E. Brooks.

J. W. Marley, chairman central committee, M. E. Williams, secretary.

August 27, 1887, Oswego; S. T. Herman, chairman, Abe Steinbarger and H. H. Lusk, secretaries. Treasurer, W. F. Thorne on first ballot over B. R. Van Meter and William Slaughter; register, J. A. Flora on fifth ballot over 0. S. Kliser, Ella Wood, Wilf. Cooper, and J. A. Lough; sheriff, J. T. Lampson on seventh ballot over C. B. Woodford, D. M. Bender, I. N. Cornelius, and A. M. Newman; county clerk, Wylie W. Cook, by acclamation; surveyor, E. P. Bayless, by acclamation; coroner, J. T. Finley on first ballot over Rep Smith; commissioner first district, D. A. Jones.

S. T. Herman, chairman central committee, Joseph Craft, secretary.

September 1, 1888, Oswego; J. B. Swartz, chairman, W. F. Thrall, secretary. Senator Tenth, district, C. H. Kimball, by acclamation; county attorney, J. H. Morrison on fourth ballott over A. A. Osgood, F. H. Atchinson; M. E. Williams, and J. D. Conderman: probate judge, I. J. Calvin, by acclamation; clerk district court, Colin Hodge on fourth ballot over J. S. Hileman, Ira F. Adams, H. H. Graue, W. H. Hunter, and George Hildreth; superintendent public instruction, Agnes Baty on third ballot over A. D. Martin and S. L. Fogleman.

L. S. Crum, chairman central committee, W. W. Cook, secretary.

August 31, 1889, Parsons; J. B. Swartz, chairman, Thomas O'Hare and Evelyn B. Baldwin, secretaries. Treasurer, William Slaughter, by acclamation; register, J. A. Flora on third ballot over B. R. Van Meter and J. S. Odell; sheriff, W. H. Sharp on fifth ballott over J. E. Brooks, S. B. Shaffer, J. B. Pickering, A. J. Kirby, and W. J. Webb; county clerk, George Tilton; surveyor, J. W. Boggess; coroner, Thomas J. Finley; commissioner, J. W. Scott on first ballot over C. J. Darling.

W. W. McEwen, chairman central committee, J. L. McGinness secretary.

August 23, 1890, Oswego; J. B. Cook, chairman, A. H. Tyler, secretary. County attorney, W. F. Schoch, by acclamation; probate judge, R. M. Hart, by acclamation; clerk district court, Colin Hodge, by acclamation; Superintendent public instruction, Fannie Smith on first ballot over Samuel Wade; commissioner first district, B. D. Roberts.

L. S. Crum, chairman central committee, W. W. Cook, secretary.

September 5, 1891, Mound Valley; M. Byrne, chairman, W. W. Cook, secretary. Treasurer, William Slaughter; county clerk, Geo. W. Tilton; register, J. C. Richcreek on third ballot over J. W. Fee, J. A. Flora and L. G. Bigwood; sheriff, Andrew Kaho on third ballot over W. H. Sharp, I. N. Cissna, A. W. Newman, D. M. Bender, J. E. Brooks, and J. W. Bennett; coroner, T. J. Finley on first ballot over Jacob Crump, M. S. Clayton; surveyor, M. C. Gaffey on first ballot over J. W. Boggess.

W. F. Schoch, chairman central committee Colin Hodge, secretary.

August 16, 1892. Parsons; W. G. Hoover, chairman, W. K. Hayes and C. S. Newlon, secretaries. Senator, W. W. McEwen, by acclamation; county attorney, A. D. Neals on third ballot over M. Byrne, J. W. Iden, and D. H. Wilson; probate judge, H. H. Graue was nominated on first ballot over A. T. Dickerman and W. F. Grierson, but as he had not been a candidate for that office he declined to accept the nomination, and W. F. Grierson was nominated on second ballot over A. T. Dickerman; clerk district court, E. C. Clark on first ballot over H. H. Graue; superintendent public instruction, A. D. Martin, by acclamation; commissioner third district, J. W. Scott, by acclamation.

Dr. C. Rockhold, chairman central committee, U. S. Harr, secretary.

August 28, 1893, Oswego; R. W. Wright, chairman, H. C. Ford, secretary. Treasurer, John R. Monroe over J. M. Thompson; county clerk, J. F. Thompson, by acclamation; register of deeds, H. H. Graue, over Wallace W. Bradbury; sheriff, John W. Bennett over Joseph Craft and J. W. Scott; surveyor, E. P. Bayless, by acclamation; coroner, T. J. Finley, by acclamation; commissioner first district, D. U. Watson, by acclamation. As authorized by the convention, at a later date the central committee nominated the following high school trustees: Nelson Case, J. M. Birt, W. G. Hoover, I. S. Boyer, Dr. C. S. Newlon and J. W. Fee.

Nelson Case, chairman central committee, W. F. Schoch, Secretary.

July 14, 1894, Oswego; J. W. Scott, chairman, J. D. Lusk, secretary. Probate judge, I. C. Richcreek over J. H. Young and W. S. Stokebake; clerk district court, E. C. Clark, by acclamation; county attorney, A. B. Switzer, by acclamation; superintendent public instruction. Mrs. Ida C. Martin over I. S. Boyer, E. C. McKinley and Clay D. Herod; commissioner second district, L. C. Freeman over James N. Tibbets; high school trustees, J. M. Birt and W. G. Hoover, by acclamation.

C. S. Newlon, chairman central committee, Charles Harrington, secretary.

August 31, 1895, Chetopa; Dr. F. E. Hamilton, chairman, L. M. Bedell, secretary. Treasurer, E. W. Minturn over W. U. Dicus; county clerk, J. F. Thompson over J. W. Weaver; sheriff, John W. Bennett, by acclamation; register of deeds, H. H. Graue, by acclamation; surveyor, E. P. Bayless over J. W. Boggess; coroner, J.W. French over T. J. Finley, George W. Parks and Vance Campbell; high school trustees, Nelson Case and E. E. Laughlin by acclamation.

E. C. Clark, chairman central committee, 0. Gossard, secretary.

July 29, 1896, Parsons; James W. Scott, chairman, W. H. Martin, secretary. Senator, E. C. Clark over Dr. W. W. McEwen; probate judge, J. C. Richcreek, by acclamation; county attorney, E. L. Burton over J. W. Iden, J. D. Conderman, Claude E. Kennedy and A. H. Tyler; clerk district court, W. C. Dicus over Colin Hodge, W. F. Cox and H. H. Beard; superintendent public instruction, Mrs. Ida C. Martin, by acclamation; commissioner first district, D. U. Watson, by acclamation; high school trustees I. S. Boyer and R. A. Davis, by acclamation.

H. H. Graue, chairman central committee, 0. Gossard, secretary.

September 9, 1897, Oswego; R. W. Wright, chairman, A. H. Tyler, secretary. Treasurer, E. W. Minturn, by acclamation: county clerk, Ivy Prescott over Robert Mosher, W. C. Berry, B. F. Briggs, John M. Chansler and T. H. Lough; sheriff, David Bonebrake over D. A. Jones, W. C. Weaver and F. M. Webb; register of deeds, Arch D. Swanwick over Wallace W. Bradbury; surveyor, J. W. Boggess over E. P. Bayless; coroner, J. W. French, by acclamation; commissioner second district, Lewis Woodyard; high school trustees, H. H. Long and I. S. Boyer, by acclamation.

E. C. Clark, chairman central committee, E. E. Ford, secretary.

June 2, 1898, Oswego; E. L. Burton, chairman, E. E. Ford, secretary. Probate judge, Lewis W. Crain over D. M. Stice, W. F. Grierson, Alvah Shick, R. D. Talbot and F. M. Webb; county attorney, E. C. Clark over J. D. Conderman and A. H. Tyler; clerk district court, T. A. Ryan, by acclamation; superintendent public instruction, Miss Annie S. Arnold over Leslie Piatt and L. Lightfoot; coroner (to fill vacancy), J. W. French, by acclamation; commissioner third district, R. D. Talbot; high school trustees, C. H. Williams and Samuel Bowman, by acclamation.

C. S. Newlon, chairman central committee, Thomas J. Lough, secretary.

September 7, 1899, Oswego; Dr. C. Rockhold, chairman, S. T. Herman, secretary. Treasurer, E. D. Bates, by acclamation; county clerk, William Chapman by acclamation; sheriff, John E. Brooks over Frank Dienst; register of deeds, Arch D. Swanwick, by acclamation; surveyor, E. P. Bayless over J. W. Boggess; coroner, Philip Bassett, by acclamation; commissioner first district, A. M. Strode, by acclamation; high school trustees, A. B. Roller and J. H. Woodull, by acclamation.

W. J. Lough, chairman central committee, Harry W. Starnes, secretary.

July 19, 1900, Oswego; Dr. P. W. Barbe, chairman, Harry W. Starnes, secretary. Senator, A. A. Osgood over W. J. Lough; probate judge, Lewis W. Crain, by acclamation; county attorney, T. J. Flannelly over Harry G. Davis; clerk district court, James W. Weaver, by acclamation; superintendent public instruction, Miss Annie S. Arnold, by acclamation; commissioner second district (at a convention held at a later date), Oscar Potter; high school trustees, Dr. J. B. Henderson and W. Sturges, by acclamation.

Arch D. Swanwick, chairman central committee, George Meek, secretary.